Lower Columbia College Lower Columbia College Retention Calling Program

Topics Program History Methodology Outcomes

History Began in 1996 Funded through Innovation and Quality Grant Based on Theories of Astin (1984) and Tinto (1987) Focus: –Early / Integrated Intervention –Involvement Theory –Personal Contact

Why Did it Continue? It Was Effective Students and Parents Liked It Contacts Were Not Being Reliably Made By Other Staff

Methodology Student Engagement Provide Information Make Referrals

…Scripts Script 1 Content Script 2 Content Script 3 Content Script 4 Content

…Referrals Advising Counseling Financial Aid Instructors Learning Center Tutoring Activities/Clubs/Events

Retention Staff Student Callers –Three Callers 5:00-7:00 M-Th Supervision of Callers –By professional advising staff Challenges –Limited work hours (8 hrs/wk) –Student help pay rate

Training Calling Procedures Resource Notebooks Computer Training

Record Keeping Calling Outcomes Referrals Made Script Summaries Quarterly and Annual Reports

Outcomes Fall-to-Winter Retention Rates 85% % % % % % % % % % % %1993 through 1996

"An ounce of retention is worth a pound of lure." Tim Champarde